ELBASAN, MAY 23 (ATA) - By Pellumb Zekthi: Four representatives of OSCE
held Thursday a meeting in the town hall of Elbasan in the context of
recognising the procedures of the election process and everything else
regarding this process.

Accompanied by the director of the local government department,
Ferdinand Pone, they asked a more detailed information regarding the
drafting of current lists of electors, and the ways a citizen should follow
to be completed with identity papers before the election day, and the
Secretary of the town hall, Yllson Pellumbi, made a description on these
issues.

The OSCE group, with representatives from different European
countries, was informed of the fact that the municipal council, with the
proposal of the local round table of the political parties, will appoint 30
people who will deal with the new registration of the voters, trying to
avoid anomalies and abuses in this direction.

Later on, they payed a visit in the region no. 3 of the town, where
they were closely familiarized with the technic details of a possible
polling station. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

TIRANA, MAY 23 (ATA) - The representatives of OSCE in Tirana handed on
Thursday afternoon a letter of the OSCE special envoy, Dr. Franz Vranitzky,
addressed to the Albanian Premier, Bashkim Fino, with regard to the
election process in Albania, Premier press and information office reports.

The letter says that Dr. Vranitzky has declared to the participating
countries in the meeting of the Permanent Council of OSCE that the
international community can offer support and admonition in the preparation
and application of the election process.

We, stressed the special envoy of OSCE in Albania, can make an
intensive monitoring in the pre-election process and during the voting and
will help with all the possible means in the post-electoral activity. The
OSCE delegations, on their side, support unanimously the offering of
assistance, admonition and intensive monitoring of the election process.

In the letter it is underlined that the Permanent Council asks from
the Albanian authorities to provide the necessary organization base for the
elections and if these main conditions would be not provided during all the
election process, then the involvement of OSCE in Albania would be
reviewed.

"I am conscious of the difficulties to be overcome for the security
and successful development of the elections. We are ready to work with You
and your government to create the conditions for the elections, which
should represent the will of the Albanian people," stresses Vranitzky and
adds that despite the limited time, all the OSCE countries would do their
best to bear their responsibility.

The delegates in the Conference for Albania, to be held on May 26, in
Rome, are ready with their further efforts with the international
community, to go forward with concrete plans and defined to offer economic
and financial assistance," says the letter of Vranitzky. /l.gj/kled/mt/sh/

TIRANA, MAY 22 (ATA) - The Trade Union of chromes will not agree with the
solutions being discussed for signing the contract between Preussag and
Albchrome, without taking into consideration the social options of the
independent union of chrome miners.

An agreement discussed before with the Perussag company included a
participation of Albchrome with a capital of 20 % against 80% of Perussag.

"Appreciating the cooperation of Perussag and other foreign companies
which would like to cooperate with the Albanian companies of chrome, the
trade union has always supported them, because in cooperation with these
serious companies it can increase the level of miners and employees of the
Albanian mineral industry," says a statement of the trade union./kei/mt/sh/

SKOPJE, MAY 23 (ATA) - The Constitutional Court of Macedonia has decided to
prevent temporarily the usage of the Albanian and Turkish national flag in
the commune of Gostivar, until the final decision on this issue is brought,
and this decision came into force on Thursday, Kosova Center for
Information reports.

In this sitting, the judge Bahri Islami and Besim Selimi rejected
this decision, with the reason that the Albanians in Macedonia use and
consider the flags as national symbols and not as governmental symbols, as
it says, of the foreign countries.

But, the Macedonian judges stressed that this runs counter to the
laws in force for the usage of the national flags.

The chairman of the assembly of the Gostivar commune, Rufi Osmani,
sent a letter to this court, where he reported that the prevention of the
usage of the Albanian and Turkish national flag would tension the national
relations in this commune. While, some Macedonian judges say that the usage
of these flags tensions the international relations in Gostivar.
/ag/kei/mt/sh/

TEPELENA, MAY 23 (ATA) - The armed gangs rob and terrorize the travellers
in the segment of the road Tepelene-Gjirokaster, making insecure and
difficult the movement in this road.

In the place called Ura e Leklit, armed and masked persons attacked and
robbed on Thursday by 14:30 the travellers in a mini-bus. The gangs shot on
those who had rejected, and due to this the citizen Alfred Buzi died.
/kled/mt/sh/

TIRANA, MAY 23 (ATA) - The citizen Eskil Topalli, 22, was killed Thursday
in Tirana by 18:15 in "Rruga e Durresit", near the Yugoslav Embassy,
causing panic on the inhabitants of the nearby villages.

According to the Police Commissariat no. 3, which is situated not more
than 200 m far from the place where the murder happened, armed persons have
shot on a vehicle towards Topalli, causing him sudden death.

The murder was committed for weak motives, sources of the police
commissariat report./kled/mt/sh/

TIRANA, MAY 23 (ATA) - "Shadows of distrust for Europe" is the editorial of
Rilindja Demokratike. "The international community considered finished the
debate for the Albanian elections of June, leaving to be understood that
the blocking left wing will be not tolerated," says the editorial among
others.

"SP with the heels over the head in the elections," reports the paper
under the headline "Vranitzky removes the roadblock of the left wing for
the June 29 elections."

"SP begins the tactic of purges," reports the paper and underlines
that the Minister of Finances, Arben Malaj, "replaces the officials with
the militant members of SP, without having the mandate to make changes."

"SP remains in the dilemma of boycott", reports the paper regarding
the meeting of SP Leading Committee. The paper covers the meeting of
President Berisha in Elbasan and Peqin under the title "Victory of DP,
security for the future."

"The social democratic leaders gathers 150 people in the district of
Vlore," reports the paper under the title "48 hours deadline for the
Council of Europe".

"All together to save Albania", reports Zeri i Popullit, with regard
to the yesterday meeting of the SP Leading Committee. The paper carries a
statement of this committee issued in this meeting, under the title "To
finalize the victory of the people's will."

"The political life over the past three months has brought a real
overthrow even in the classic concept of alliances. The country is
practically ruled by 9 parties. This fact is not little to change something
from the political spectrum in the country," underlines the paper in its
comment entitled "Albania needs a pluralist governing".

"The International Community will make everything possible for the
elections," reports the paper regarding the report of the OSCE special
Envoy for Albania, Franz Vranitzky.

"The West celebrates the victory, the Albanian politicians stunned,"
is the editorial of Republika paper, asking "Is the compromise
reached?". "RP declared Thursday by his leader Godo that the round table of
eight parties has not decided yet to take part in the elections," says the
editorial.

Godo reacts after the statement of Nano to take part in the elections
reports the paper under the title "The decision is taken by the table of
the parties and not by Nano. "Vranitzky: the green light opened for
Albania," reports the paper regarding the report of Vranitzky. RP ready for
elections if guarantees are given," reports the paper regarding the consult
of party branches chairmen in the districts.

"The most active policy in the Balkans" is the editorial of Rilindja
paper. Vranitzky declared the accord of Albanian political parties",
reports the paper. "The delegation of Kosova participates in the World
Conference for globalism", reports the paper under the title "To construct
bridges to develop a better world".

Albania paper under the title "170 000 persons will be discharged
from work", the paper reports "Without having a mandate, the Minister of
Finances, Malaj, in cooperation with the mafia of the Albanian finances,
Genc Ruli, has started to replace the whole administration of the Ministry
of Finances, Banks and the Insurances Institute." The paper carries the
editorial "The elections still under menace of boycott". With regard to the
meeting of President Berisha with inhabitants of Elbasan, the paper
reports, quoting him as saying "The socialism of communists, dictatorship
or rebellion." Under the title "OSCE: We will advise and monitor the
elections", the paper cites Vranitzky "The election law fits completely
with the political contract of May 9, where it was included a mixed voting
system."

Koha Jone carries the editorial "he elections: the difficult bet of
the opposition". The paper carries the article: Armed forces land in
South". With regard to the Thursday meeting of the SP Leading Committee,
the paper reports "SP seals, finally in elections". The paper also reports
that Fino has declared the amount of 4 million dollars calculated by the
government for the elections. The paper carries the article "Alarm in
Vlore, Berisha expected to come", under the title "Many forces of the
Committees of Salvation guard the strategic points of the district."

Under the headline "The big engine of socialist is ready for the
decisive movement", Dita newspaper writes "Nano heading again". Regarding a
letter of the OSCE envoy, Franz Vranitzky sent to the Albanian Premier
Bashkim Fino, the paper reports referring to Vranitzky: "Albania to hold
elections". According to the meeting of the General Steering Committee
(GSC) of the Socialist Party, the paper reports that this party has
accepted to participate in the elections only if they will be monitored by
OSCE.

Gazeta Shqiptare reports: "Albanian issue arrived yesterday in Vienna:
'All agree on the monitoring of votes'". Referring to the meeting of SP
Leading Committe, the paper writes on the position of this party towards
elections: "(We will participate) in the elections when we are convinced
that Europe will intervene".

According to the DP electoral campaign, the paper says that the
candidates are ready, but "it exists the fear for the competition in the
South of Albania".

The Independent newspaper referring to the telephone talks between the
DP chairman Tritan Shehu and the Italian Ambassador in Albania Paolo
Foresti, carried on the Wednesday's paper, reports: "Who spied upon Paolo
Foresti". The paper carries the editorial "'Independent' blocked by
police". Regarding the funds for the electoral campaign, the paper writes
"The parties in campaign, the money in the bank. The election law stops the
delivery of funds". The paper carries the article "The Albanian elections
under the sight of Fino, Andreatta and Vranitzky". /kled/kei/mt/

CERRIK, MAY 23 (ATA) - By P Zekthi: An armed group in the town of Cerrik,
near Elbasan, today opened fire against special troops of the Interior
Ministry who arrived in the town early in the morning today to release the
police station of the town, which was stormed and occupied a night before
by an armed group.

As a result of the exchange of gunfire, 8 members of the special
forces were wounded, one of them, according to hospital sources of Elbasan,
died at 12.30 today.

Sources in the police commissariat of the district say that during
the event the newly-appointed chief of the commissariat, Agron Koliqi was
also wounded.

Eye witnesses say that the armed group set fire to an armoured
vehicle and plundered another vehicle of the special forces.

Presently there is panic spread throughout the town of
Cerrik. Non-official sources also report that the armed group is keeping
hostage 4 people of the special forces in exchange of the release of two of
their friends from Cerrik. xh

TIRANA, MAY 23 (ATA)-The Socialist Party, although declaring participation
in the polls, has presented today new requests about the election process.

At a meeting held today at the Prime Minister's office between Fino and
the political parties contesting the election law, the SP and several other
parties asked the government to lift the state of emergency.

"On one hand free and fair elections are requested in Albania and on
the other hand there are still operation commanders, military movements and
such like," the SP Public Relations Secretary, Pandeli Majko, said.

On the last day of parliament's proceedings last week, Prime Minister
Fino told reporters that the state of emergency should not be lifted, but
might be eased. He insisted that it is indispensable until the situation
calms down.

The meeting also discussed the letter the special envoy of the OSCE for
Albania, former Austrian chancellor Vranitzky, sent to Albanian Prime
Minister Fino yesterday.

Majko said that the parties had asked Fino to take all measures,
including the lifting of the state of emergency, preparation of the
elections infrastructure. With the election infrastructure Majko implies
the appointment of the prefects and secretaries, first in the areas they
are missing.

The SP and several other parties have constantly been against
imposition of the state of emergency in Albania.

Recently Albania has experienced an intensification of the violent acts
by criminal gands in Vlore, Memaliaj and Cerrik, claiming several lives.

Last night one of these gangs attacked and raided the Cerrik police
station, near Elbasan, while today this group attacked the interior
ministry special forces, killing one policeman and wounding six others. The
new chief of the Elbasan commissariat, Agron Koliqi, is among the
wounded. pas/lm/Z

LEZHE, MAY 28 (ATA)- By Z. Pergega, The President of the Republic today met
with thousands of Lezhe inhabitants, who had gathered to welcome him.

Later he continued his meeting with DP members and sympathizers in the
hall of the palace of culture.

Berisha, taking the floor, called on the people to turn the June 29
campaign into a civic and cultured campaign, a campaign of national
reconciliation.

"First we should acknowledge our responsibility as a Democratic Party,
and here should be the starting point of dialogue with the others, because
only in this way we testify to the honesty and determination to correct the
errors committed.

Berisha told the participants that the real cause of the rebellion lays
with the communist-type scenario, applied in several countries of the
world, many years ago, consisting in the fact that when they do not assume
power by the free vote, they boycott the elections, aiming at exploiting
the economic protests for political purposes.

Albania experienced such a scenario, but, different from the other
countries, democracy in Albania did not give up.

Speaking of the DP alliances Berisha said that:"We are determined to
widen the space for the opposition, not through participation in the
government, this is for sure, but through forms and methods of control.

We also are open to the National Front Party and support those RP
candidates devoted to democracy," Berisha said. s.sh/jz/lm/Z

TIRANA, MAY 23 (ATA)- Prime Minister Bashkim Fino had a working meeting
today with the Alba operation commander, General Forlani, according to the
Prime Minister's press office.

Fino stressed that now it is high time for the troops of the Force to
extend their presence further in the country. He asked Forlani the
engagement of the operation forces in guarding the key road axes and
possibly of the customs houses.

Further on, Fino asked the involvement of the Multinational forces
during the electoral process for creating a more secure environment in the
country.

Fino stressed that: "We have not asked the changing of the mandate of
this force, but a more flexible interpretation of this mandate, so that it
clearly responds to the Albanian reality.

Forlani considered very positive the relations of the Multinational
Forces with the Albanian government and expressed the commitment to
consider their mission in a wider diapason. He vowed to find the ways and
avenues to create a concrete ground for the issues discussed.

Also attending the meeting were Justice Minister Spartak Ngjela,
Secretary of State of Foreign Ministry Pavli Zeri and the diplomatic
advisor to the Alba operation commander, ambassador Ungaro. s.sh/jz/lm/z

CERRIK, MAY 23 (ATA)- By P. Zekthi, A bloody gun battle was fought today
between a group of gunmen and the special forces arriving from Tirana. The
number of the killed from among the special forces has reached five, four
of whom burnt in an armoured car.

This information was also confirmed by doctor Behar Gjevori at the
surgery hospital of Elbasan district.

Meanwhile the armed group is said to have mined a block of flats, but
the group of specialists to defuse the mine had not reached the town until
14.00.

The situation in the Cerrik town is extremely tense. The vehicles
entering the town are checked by gunmen, who do not allow access of
"undesirables". jz/lm/Z

PRISHTINE, MAY 23 (ATA)- By B.Jashari, A petition was signed in Kosova for
releasing all the political prisoners, Albanians, for stopping legal
proceedings and arbitrary arrests of the citizens, as well as maltreatment
at Serb police offices or Serb prisons' cells.

This petition, as reported today, has so far been signed by 40 000
citizens of the Republic of Kosova. The signing continues. The petition
will be sent to international factors, to exert pressure on Belgrade's
regime.

The petition is being signed at a time when hundreds of political
prisoners are suffering in the Serb barracks, when the Albanians' arrests
and maltreatment are daily, and when a new series of political trials has
begun for another 60 Albanians. lp/jz/lm /Z

TIRANA, MAY 23 (ATA)-By F.Nikolla, Italian General Luciano Forlani,
Commander of the Multinational Protection Force, during a meeting today
with Albanian Prime Minister Fino, did not undertake to guard the border
crossing points and check their customs.

"Although not belittling the importance of checking the border crossing
points, "Alba" does not undertake it as it is not included in the tasks
envisaged by the mandate," Giovani Bernardi, spokesman of the MPF's press
said.

As regards the development of the electoral process contacts have been
established with the OSCE and ODIHR representatives to verify the support
the MPF can give to their bodies in carrying out their task of monitoring
the electoral process," Colonel-lieutenant Bernardi said.

General Forlani voiced his opinion to Prime Minister Fino that:"the MPF
has implemented on a broad basis the assigned mandate."

"Alba", he said, has projected the deployment in a short term of a part
of these forces in several areas where actually there is no standing
presence of the MPF."

The MPF has several plans for its further extension but it is not yet
decided which plan will be applied. So far, the military contingent is
planned to extend towards Shkoder and Sarande. jz/lm/Z

TIRANE, MAY 23 (ATA) - By P Shuteriqi: Within the first 10 days of June,
the families in Tirana will have the possibility to watch again in their TV
sets the programs of RAIUNO, Canale 5 and Retequatro of the Italian
magnate, Berlusconi.

According to the secretary of the Tirana Municipality, Kleanthi
Kekezi, with an investment of 4 000 dollars INSIG makes possible the
resumption of these transmissions in Tirana after a period of interruption
of 3 months. The 4000 dollar investment will be used mainly to buy the
apparatuses for the retransmission of the three Italian TV
channels. jz/xh

TIRANE, MAY 23 (ATA) - The Autochephalous Orthodox Church of Albania has so
far distributed 200 tons of food aid in hospitals, orphanages, homes for
the aged and poor families in various zones of Albania, press office of
this Church reports.

Additionally, during the coming three months, 3500 tons of emergent
aid is envisaged to be distributed. The total value of the assistance
amounts to about 1 047 800 dollars. Besides, medicines and vaccinations
will also be distributed.

With the fund of 350 000 dollars by the World Council of Churches,
the office Diaconia Agapes (Service of Love) and the social office of the
Orthodox Arch-Bishopric, during the coming three months, aid for over 25
000 individuals throughout Albania will be delivered. ssh/jz/xh

TIRANE, MAY 23 (ATA) - By Atlant Frasheri: The chairman of the Republican
Party Sabri Godo recommenDed the Albanian Government after the reply of Mr
Vranitzky for the demands of some parties of Albania for an intesive
monitorinG of the poll, that it should take some measures to smooth the
road towards elections.

"Initially it must discuss in details with OSCE what an intensive
monitoring is, how far is it extended and which are its modalities, the
government must also know if the logistic basis of the elections must be
ensured," said RP chairman Sabri Godo after a meeting in the Council of
Ministers today between Premier Bashkim Fino and the parties.

The parties taking part in the round table discussion after their
demands were sent to Mr Vrnitzky, said that if the demands were not
fulfilled they would not take part in elections. Yesterday, the Socialist
Party declared it would participate in the ballot, leaving other parties to
support it in adopting their decisions.

Godo, like other party leaders, asked the Government to lift the
state of emergency.

Godo told reporters that he had asked Mr Fino that the Goverment must
discuss with OSCE the role that the multinational force in Albania should
play in securing the roads and the traffic and especially during the period
of elections.jz/xh

TIRANE, MAY 23 (ATA) - Under the direction of the Prime Minister Bashkim
Fino, Albanian Government today discussed in an extraordinary meeting the
tragic event in the town of Cerrik, in which five interior Ministry forces
were killed. The Interior Minister Belul Celo informed the Council of
Ministers on the circumstances of the event and the measures to be taken to
clear it out.

The Council of Minister would convene on May 24 after analysis of the
event in the structures of the Interior Ministry in the center and in the
district level will be made.

Today in the evening, Prime Minister Fino, accompanied by the
Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, Ekrem Kastrati, Interior
Minister, Belul Celo, Minister of Health, Astrit Kalenja and the Secretary
of State in the Defence Ministry, Ali Kazazi, went to the Military Hospital
of Tirane to visit the policemen who were wounded in clashes in Cerrik
town.

In the name of the Government of National Reconciliation, Mr Fino
expressed to the families, relatives and friends of the victims his
condolence and grief.

After briefed by the leading staff of the hospital, Mr Fino said to
them to do everything possible to save the lives of the wounded policemen
and wished them a quick recovery.

Proceding from the grave event, Mr Fino expressed the conviction that
the forces of order would know to respond the acts of violence with the
force of law, in protection of the life, tranquillity and security of the
citizens. xh